Like this: Genie TZ34 Boom Lift Rental | Aerial Equipment | Compact Power Equipment Rental

I'm considering putting some gable trim on the metal roof on my house. A ladder would rest on the place where the trim needs to be installed so I'm considering renting one of these but I'm wondering what the learning curve is on operating one. It might be difficult to get it across the lawn to the front of the house but if I could, it would make the job much easier.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Boomlifts and overhead electrical wiring seem to have a love-hate relationship.

Take your time and make sure its set proper. Put all the legs on something so they dont sink in.

Personally i prefer a skylift or grade all. Whatever you want to call it. A lot more stable but maybe to big for your application.

But we always say, over size your equipment. Never run over 75% capacity.

But I've hit the override many times...

I've used similar as far as the lift goes, but on a different base. The one I was using was a three wheeled self propelled type, primarily used for orchard pruning. It wasn't hard to operate, though I might suggest in your application setting it up and paying with it next to some trees for a bit to get a feel for the controls. If you go a little too far in one direction and brush a tree, no big deal. Brush a house with a metal bucket and now you get to paint/repair while you're up there.

I do agree about making sure the footing is solid and properly set up. The unit we used sat nicely on three points, but you could also drive it from the bucket, so repositioning was easy. Of course, you're not really supposed to go for long trips while up in the basket, and it was quite the ride, but I can see how having to come down and pick up the legs, drag the thing over a few feet, and set up again would get to be a drag.

MV

Rented something quite similar to paint our house and barn. Biggest issue was arguing over who got to use it

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

How long did it take to get familiar with its operation?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Let me fix that:
Boomlifts , inattentive operators and overhead electrical wiring seem to have a love-hate relationship.

We were painting within half an hour of it being delivered. Really, quite simple joystick controls.

On the second afternoon, the wind kicked up - the resulting swaying & bouncing took a bit of getting used to!

__________________
1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

Be sure to wear a body harness and lanyard. The ones that can be driven when extended can pitch you out of the basket over rough terrain. Also, the basket can tilt far enough that you will fall out if you pull the wrong lever.

They are not hard to use, Left , Right , Up , Down , Don't stick your fingers in it.

When making any move, be aware there is usually a delay and some springy / overshoot action so make small moves and stop early. The controls are generally proportional for speed.

As others have said

1) READ THE EFFING MANUAL!
2) Wear a harness with a THREE (3) Ft lanyard not a SIX (6) ft lanyard
3) Locate and identify ANY wiring within 10 ft of the boom when deployed.
4) Have a spotter work with you because when running a man lift you must be a human lighthouse...and no one is that good.
5) READ THE EFFING MANUAL!

One good thing is I personally know the Welding Inspector at Genie/JLG and he knows his s**t so at least the welds on the boom arm won't fail...

Or use the inertia / retractable ones. The lanyard can become a trip hazard if it is too long.

This one is pretty cool. Self-propelled and the axles slide in for access to narrow spots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bipeAuTYDNA

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You'll get the hang of it quickly. Just play around with it for a little while. I've used a variety of different lifts, they're good fun. Watch your head.

Not knowing the navigational details of your yard or the main issue you're referring to, but if you have access to plywood, placing it down before driving over helps your lawn and makes it easier to roll if your lawn is wet.

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Very short learning curve. Much less that learning to drive at 15/16

That unit is a four point rest, very stable.

You will have the new trim up and done before the 2nd pot of coffee
is done brewing. THEN it would be beer time anyway, not before.

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Retractable lanyards are good but cost $250 vs $25 for a 3 ft lanyard.

PS Do not EVER accept a harness/lanyard from the supplier even if it is a new bag. A recent random check of the harnesses in boom lifts delivered in NYC found 90% were over 5 years old and had been exposed to conditions that made them FAIL when tested with a 200lb drop weight.